2010 Calendar & Ostrander

Half Dome – Yosemite Musing

The Yosemite Association is selling 2010 calendars. Gee, 2010. (We should have been on Mars by now!) Chock full of glossy pix of waterfalls, waterscapes, meadows, and trees. Less than 6 bucks. Info <here>

The Ostrander Lake Ski Hut is located about 10 miles from the Badger Pass resort in the park. It’s a 1941 vintage stone bldg that can accommodate 25. Ostrander is run by the Yosemite Assn for the NPS and is designed for cross country skiers and snowshoe’ers who can manage the trek from Badger. There is no car access, so you better be in good shape. Like all good things on earth with 6 billion residents, plan on a possible drawing for prime dates. Mid-week is your best bet. Contact YA at 209- 379-2321 to request an information packet. Don’t think ASPEN; think basic shelter. You have to bring your own food, water filter, sleeping bag and personal gear. Water must be carried from the lake and purified before use. A real winter adventure. About $50 and a discount for YA members. For info go to <HERE>.
Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Well life on the farm is kinda laid back. Ain’t much an old country boy like me can’t hack. It’s early to rise, early in the sack.  – Thank God, I’m a country boy.”  – John Denver
*Mr. Half Dome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

North side of Half Dome

Half Dome – Yosemite Musing 

Today we finish our circumnavigation of Half Dome with the North Face. It’s the one on the 2005 Quarter and the subject of about 5 million other memorable photos. Besides being the inspiration for the North Face Company’s logo, it is the signature landmark of Yosemite. Just to review: The top is  2,000 feet above the Valley floor. But it is also 2,000 feet (give or take a few) above the incline leading to its vertical wall. It tops out at 8842 feet. For some reason I often read that the height is 8837 feet. HUH? Either it is or it isn’t. My GPS reads 8842. Go figure. There is NO USGS marker on top so I am going with most of the reliable maps that say 8842. The trek up the backside was first attempted by John Conway and his sons who got a ways up by trying it barefoot. The first real summit was by George Anderson in October 1875. The first to scale its face was Royal Robbins and 2 buds in 1957. The first woman was his wife, Liz (Royal accompanied her) . The first solo free climb (NO ropes pitons, parachute) was done on Sept 8, 2008 by Alex Honnold (in 2 hrs 50 mins). And you did it when???

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Early in the evenin’ just about supper time, over by the courthouse they’re starting to unwind. Four kids on the corner trying to bring you up. Willy picks a tune out and he blows it on the harp. Down On the corner, out in the street. Willy and the Poor boys are playin’. Bring a nickel; tap your feet.” – Creedence Clearwater Revival

*Mr. Half Dome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

South side of Half Dome

Half Dome – Yosemite Musing

As you progress through Little Yosemite Valley, on your Half Dome hike, look to your left and you begin to see the Dome peeking out. It kinda looks like 2 tan camel humps above the trees. The only folks I’ve heard who approach it from that side are the guys doing the annual trash pickup sponsored by the climbing group. It’s advised to wear a helmet as you never know what will drop from above. There are a lot of water bottles and cameras down there. I have never seen anyone wall climbing on this side. I believe there is one published route up.

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack, I don’t care if I never get back, Let me root, root, root for the home team, If they don’t win it’s a shame. For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out, At the old ball game.” – 1908 Rabble Rouser

*Mr. Half Dome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

West side of Half Dome

Half Dome – Yosemite Musing

 

This photo of the west side of Half Dome was taken while I was on the Panorama Trail between Glacier Point and Nevada Fall. Nearest to you – just to the left of the base of Half Dome is the REAL Diving Board. That is where Ansel Adams took his famous black and white photo of the monolith. The term “diving board” can be applied to any rock that juts out. There are a couple on the Visor of Half  Dome. The famous one is at Glacier Point itself. It has been shown with women dancing on it and even an old tyme car parked on the edge! Another interesting feature on the western end is called Snake Dike. It is a climbing route with 5 pitches. From there it’s a long uphill hike. With sticky climbing shores I hear it’s doable. But you do need climbing experience. 
Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Coming to you on a dusty road. Good loving, I got a truck load. And when you get it, you got something. Don’t worry, ’cause I’m coming. I’m a soul man. ” – Sam and Dave
*Mr. Half Dome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

East side of Half Dome

Half Dome – Yosemite Musing

You’ve not seen this view of the big guy unless you have hiked up Cloud’s Rest. The 7-hour Round Trip up is best done from Tenaya Lake. The trek is pretty mellow as you head towards Sunrise Camp. The trail passes by 3 water sources including a large pond, so you’ll have plenty to hydrate with.  The climb up the spine of Could’s Rest is pretty hairy with maybe only about 10 feet of clearance before you’d fall down into oblivion. When you get to the top, you are treated to this view. Pardon the lack of clarity, but my Casio digital is on MAX zoom. You are looking at Sub Dome and the faint line is the cable route up the backside of Half Dome. If you have eagle eyes, you could make out hikers going up the cables. Neat. Also clearly visible is the Visor to the right. The steepness is certainly emphasized in this view.

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “You know that it would be untrue. You know that I would be liar, if I was to say to you, girl we couldn’t get much higher. Come on baby light my fire – try to set the night on fire.” – The Doors

*Mr. Half Dome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

The Cables at 4:30 am

Half Dome – Yosemite Musing

This photo is running on my website. I took it literally at 4:30 am last summer when I did the moonlight hike up. In person this was really neat. I did not have a tripod . .  sorry about the blur.  But it was really eerie to see the line of headlamps inching up. The full moon hike is pretty popular and I was quite surprised to see a crowded cable route. If you want to try it…book your accommodations now. It’s still a long hike and it gets cold and windy at 2 am. You won’t drink as much water as on a day hike – but you still need to hydrate. Just do it!
Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Trees go wandering forth in all directions with every wind, going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day, and through space heaven knows how fast and far!” – John Muir
*Mr. Half Dome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

The Glacier Point Road Saga

Half Dome – Yosemite Musing

When I drove up to Glacier Pt in August the road was the pits. Literally. Big holes and loose gravel. Now word is that construction will be extended through Saturday November 7 to complete paving. Work will go on every day except Sundays. Plan on 30-minute delay between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM each day. Traffic will be released on the hour and 1/2 hour during these paving operations. There is a sign that the project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and includes rehabilitation, restoration, resurfacing, and repaving of 5 miles of the roadway. Is that the “Stimulus” money? I can’t imagine how many unemployed software engineers that they hired, but I’m sure mother government will take care of us.

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Seems I’ve got to have a change of scene, ‘cause every night I have the strangest dreams. Imprisoned by the way it could have been, left here on my own or so it seems. I’ve got to leave before I start to scream, But someone locked the door and took the key. You feelin’ alright.” – Cry me a river, Joe Cocker

 *Mr. Half Dome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

NPS Director and Half Dome

Half Dome – Yosemite Musing

While he was out visiting Yosemite a few weeks ago, Jon Jarvis,  the newly appointed Director of the NPS hiked up Half Dome. He was here with his wife and 2 adult children. Word is that he kinda snuck out with no falderal and no escort of YOSAR buffs to push him along. This is good, but I wonder how long they took. And what did they use for guidance? Did he read my book first? Did he find the Little Spring? Did he use poles? And how did he manage the cables? Inquiring minds want to know. Seriously, this is good for us.  He – fer shure – experienced what we do and should be on our side when it comes to any regulation of the Half Dome trail. Still no word on what’s coming – maybe at the Merced River Plan briefings they will lay some hints on us. Say hi if you attend the Nov 10 Berkeley session.

Oh by the way, I reported that the Yosemite Fund gave a $5.8M check to Yosemite. I have seen many blogs and stories that imply that they actually gave a legal tender check for $5.8M to the Park Super. Nay. It was a symbolic check in recognition of the money they spent in 2009 on projects. The magic list of 2010 approved projects will not be released until 2010.

PS –The management and staff of the Galactic Headquarters of Carpe Diem Experience (our parent) are now back on the job after a 3 week rejuvenation period. TShirts are ready to ship. Order yours now – avoid the Xmas rush.

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Would you like to go riding in my Buick ‘59? Well I’m telling you people that the ride is mighty fine. Got an 8 cylinder motor and a jet propelled overdrive (Buick 59, Buick 59).” – The Medallions
*Mr. Half Dome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

 

Here comes the sun

Half Dome – Yosemite Musing

I’d guess the half of your time hiking Half Dome will be in the shade. Much of the trail is under the sweeping Jeffrey Pines and Cedars. Once you get above the tree line approaching Sub Dome, you will be basking in glorious sunshine. I recommend lathering up with sunscreen for the hike while you are dressing and bring a small tube of UV A/B protection. As we get older we get to pay for the days we spent getting golden bronze. I used to go to Ocean City, Maryland twice a month in the summers. Well, last spring I had a squamous cell growth whacked off my nose. This not the bad kind but any kind of “C”. is scary.  So I recently read that the US now has a Vitamin D problem. We are not getting enough. Kids are being covered in sunscreen for even brief trips to the store. Sunshine the is the easiest source as it is not found in food. You can take a supplement D pill, but the easiest way to get your minimum level is to expose more skin for a brief time several days a week. Laying out sans covering (as much as your modesty will allow) for 10 minutes 3 days a week is suggested. This is all. Do not overdue it. But the amount of rays we pick up from ambient light or exposure of our faces, neck and hands is not enough. Gosh, what else can we worry about?

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say it’s all right.” – The Beatles
  *Mr. Half Dome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

Yosemite Fund in 2009

Half Dome – Yosemite Musing

The Yosemite Fund picked up the tab for 56 park projects in 2009. This was provided by over $5M in donations. Since 1988, The Yosemite Fund has supported over 300 projects totaling more than $55 million in support. Projects included were in the areas of: Trail Access and Repair; Habitat Restoration Visitor Services and Education; Cultural and Historic Preservation; Scientific Research and Wildlife Management .The Fund’s major project this year was the $800K rehabilitation of the Half Dome Overlook on Hwy 120 as you approach the valley. Other projects included restoring Wawona Meadow, repairing the Red Peak Pass backcountry trail and Valley Loop trail, protecting Peregrine Falcons and restoring amphitheaters near several Valley campgrounds. See <here> for more info. No word yet on what projects were approved for 2010. I did get word that my proposal to do a safety video on hiking Half Dome was not.

As a digression, I am now in Quebec and ready to head home after 3 weeks teaching Nordic Walking to passengers on the Crystal Cruise lines ships. Yesterday we had SNOW on the deck. A far cry from my time in the Mediterranean. Here’s a funny one. I did my laundry and mistakenly had my cell phone in a pocket. So my Sony-Ericsson went through 30 minutes of wash and an hour of dry. Duh.  I opened it up, took the SD card,and the battery out. It now works perfectly.  – No blog tomorrow as I will be flying back to San Jose.
Related thought worth quoting: “TIMEX – takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin” – TV ad from the 1960’s
*Mr. Half Dome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com